Electronic device system utilizing a character input method

ABSTRACT

A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/432,734, entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM UTILIZING A CHARACTERINPUT METHOD”, filed on Apr. 29, 2009, published as US20090273566A1,which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from TaiwanPatent Application No. 097116277, filed May 2, 2008. The entirety ofeach of the above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to computer techniques, and moreparticularly to electronic device systems utilizing modified characterinput methods.

2. Description of Related Art

A cell phone is not very convenient for text input since it is typicallyequipped with a numeric keypad rather than an alphanumeric keyboard. Forexample, because 26 letters are mapped to 8 numeric keys means that onenumeric key would have to represent three to four letters.

In an existing input method, one keystroke on a key representing “A”,“B”, and “C” can be recognized as to present a character candidate “A”,two keystrokes to present “B”, and three keystroke to present “C”.Inputting character “C” is always more complex and difficult than “A”and liable to lead to mistakes. For example, inputting “C” requiresrepeatedly and rapidly pressing a specific key three times, during which“A”, “B”, and “C” are orderly presented. An additional key press causesthe desired “C” to be missed and leads to reiteration of “A”, “B”, and“C”, which is very troublesome and time consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyboard;

FIG. 3A is flowchart showing one embodiment of an abc input method;

FIG. 3B is flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of a characterinput method;

FIG. 3C is flowchart showing another embodiment of a character inputmethod;

FIG. 3D is flowchart showing another embodiment of a character inputmethod;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a default direction and a reverseddirection for presenting character candidates;

FIGS. 5A-5F are schematic diagrams showing character candidates and acursor in a text area;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing operation signals with referenceto a time line;

FIG. 7 is flowchart showing another embodiment of a character inputmethod which utilizes a menu to display characters;

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a menu corresponding to a defaultsequence of character candidates “wxyz”;

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a text area in which a character “x”in the default sequence “wxyz” is displayed;

FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram of a text area into which a character “y”is entered;

FIG. 8D is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a menu inwhich character candidates are represented by assistant keys;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a keyboard;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic devicesystem in which an electronic device with a input device and anelectronic device with a display transfer text to each other through acommunication channel;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electronicdevice system in which an electronic device with a display receivescontrol signals for text input through a communication channel from anexternal source; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electronicdevice system in which three electronic devices transfer control signalsfor text input and text presentation through a communication channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Description of exemplary embodiments of a character input method and anelectronic device utilizing the same is given in the followingparagraphs which are organized as:

1. System Overview 2. Exemplary Embodiments of Character Input Methods

2.1 First Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method

2.2 Second Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method

2.3 Third Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method

3. Variation of Embodiments

3.1 Alternative Embodiments of Character Input Method

3.2 Alternative Embodiments of the Electronic Device

4. Conclusion 1. System Overview

The character input method can be implemented in various electronicdevices, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs),set-top boxes (STB), televisions, or media players. An example of anelectronic device implementing the character input method is given inthe following.

With reference to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 comprises a processor10, a main memory 20, a display 30, an input unit 40, and timers 50 and60. The processor 10 may comprise various integrated circuits (ICs) forprocessing data and machine-readable instructions. The processor 10 maybe packaged as a chip or comprise a plurality of interconnected chips.For example, the processor 10 may only comprise a central processingunit (CPU) or a combination of a CPU, a digital signal processor (DSP),and a chip of a communication controller, such as communication units inFIG. 10-12. The communication controller coordinates communication amongcomponents of the electronic device 100 or communication between theelectronic device 100 and external devices. Examples of suchcommunication controller, such as communication units in FIG. 10-12, aredetailed in the paragraphs of alternative embodiments. The main memory20 may comprise a random access memory (RAM), a nonvolatile memory, amass storage device (such as a hard disk drive), or a combinationthereof. The nonvolatile memory may comprise electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM) and flash memory. The display 30is configured for displaying text and image, and may comprise e-paper, adisplay made up of organic light emitting diode (OLED), or a liquidcrystal display (LCD). The display 30 may display various graphical userinterfaces including text area. The display 30 may comprise a singledisplay or a plurality of displays in different sizes.

The input unit 40 may comprise various input devices to input data orsignals to the electronic device 100, such as a touch panel, a touchscreen, a keyboard, or a microphone. The timers 50 and 60 keepingpredetermined time intervals may comprise circuits, machine-readableprograms, or a combination thereof. Each of the timers 50 and 60generates signals to notify expiration of the predetermined timeintervals. Components of the device 100 can be connected throughwire-lined or wireless communication channels.

A keyboard in FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the input unit 40.The keyboard may be made of mechanical structures or comprise a virtualkeyboard shown on the display 30. The keyboard comprises keys 201-217.Keys 213 and 214 are function keys for triggering functions based onsoftware programs executed by the electronic device 100. A key 215 is anoff-hook key, and a key 216 is an on-hook key. A key 217 is configuredfor directing direction and movement of a cursor on the display 30.Digits, letters, and/or symbols corresponding to the keys 201-212 areshown on respective keys in FIG. 2, but are not intended to be limitedthereto. Digits, characters, and/or symbols corresponding to andrepresented by a key may be referred to as candidates of the key. Forexample, the key 201 corresponds to digit “1,” the key 202 correspondsto digit “2” and characters “a”, “b”, and “c”, and the key 203corresponds to digit “3” and characters “d”, “e”, and “f”. The key 210corresponds to digit “0” and a space character; the key 212 correspondsto symbol “#” and a function for switching input methods. Differentinput methods differ in the ways of candidate character selection. Asone of different input methods can be selectively activated, each keymay accordingly correspond to different sets of characters. For example,the key 212 of the electronic device 100 may activate so called abcinput method or T9® text input method developed by Tegic Communications,Inc. The electronic device 100 may be installed with a plurality ofcharacter input methods that are user-selectable.

2. Exemplary Embodiments of Character Input Methods

FIG. 3A shows a flowchart of one embodiment of the abc input method.First, the processor 10 initializes the abc input method (step S30) anddetermines if any key is activated (step S31). If at least a key isactivated, the processor 10 initiates a timer to keep an operationperiod of the activated key (step S32), and displays a first charactercandidate for the activated key (step S33). For example, if the key 208is activated at the step S31, the processor 10 displays the firstcharacter candidate “t” for the activated key 208 at the step S33. Inthe step S34, the processor 10 continues to detect any short press onthe same activated key (event A), expiration of the operation period(event B), any operation of another key (event C), or any long press onthe same activated key (event D).

Upon receiving a short press on the same activated key (event A), theprocessor 10 resets the timer to renew counting of the operation period(step S35), and displays a next character candidate of the activated key(step S36). For example, if the key 208 is activated by a short pressoperation at the step S34, the processor 10 displays a next charactercandidate “u” for the activated key 208 at the step S36. Timer resettingcan extend the operation period.

If the operation period expires (event B), the processor 10 enters acurrently displayed character candidate to a text area of the display 30of the electronic device 100 (step S39). Focusing may be applied to thecurrently displayed character candidate of the activated key currentlydisplayed on the text area as a result of character candidate traversal.In one embodiment, the focusing may include enlargement of the currentlydisplayed character, and/or displaying the currently displayed characterin a bold or italic font, for example.

Upon receiving an operation of another key, referred to as a key j,where j is a integer variable (event C), the processor 10 enters thecurrently displayed character candidate in a text area of the electronicdevice 100 (step S40), returns to the step S32 to initiate an operationperiod of the key j, and returns to the step S33 to display a firstcharacter candidate of the key j. The processor 10 accordingly performssteps S34-S40 following the step S33 for the key j.

Upon receiving a long press operation on the same activated key (eventD), the processor resets the timer (step S37) and displays a digitcorresponding to the activated key (step S38). For example, if a longpress operation is performed on the key 208 at the step S34, theprocessor 10 displays a digit “8” for the activated key 208 at the stepS38.

The electronic device 100 may be installed a plurality of characterinput methods and selects one of the input methods to execute. Anexemplary embodiment of character input method executable by theelectronic device 100 is shown in FIG. 3B. The embodiment of characterinput method activates different sequences of character candidates inresponse to different input operations on the same key without requiringswitching between input methods.

2.1 First Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method

With reference to FIG. 3B, the processor 10 initiates a character inputmethod (step S300) and determines if any operation is performed on a keyof the input unit 40 (step S301). If an operation is performed on a key,the processor 10 initiates the timer 50 to keep a time interval forcomparison with duration of the operation on the key (step S302), anddetermines if the operation conforms to a first input pattern or asecond input pattern (step S304). The first and second input patternsmay vary by electronic device design. For example, the processor 10 mayidentify different input operations by identifying a time interval tcounted by the timer 50. For example, the processor determines that eachkey operation with a duration thereof less than the time interval tconforms to the first input pattern, referred to as a short press, andeach key operation with a duration thereof greater than the timeinterval t conforms to the second input pattern, referred to as a longpress. Duration of a key operation is counted from a depression of a keyto releasing of the key. In other words, the processor determines that akey operation terminating before expiration of the timer 50 conforms tothe first input pattern, and a key operation terminating afterexpiration of the timer 50 conforms to the second input pattern. Thetime interval t or duration of key operations may be measured in clockcycles or seconds. The time interval t may be defined as 0.5 seconds,0.8 seconds, or 1 second, for example.

The key activated at step S300 is referred to as a key i, where i is apositive integer. In the example of FIG. 2, the range of i is 201≦i≦212.If the performed operation conforms to the first input pattern, theprocessor 10 activates a default sequence of character candidates forthe key i arranged in original order of the character candidates (stepS305). That is, the processor 10 utilized the default sequence of thecharacter candidates for the key i as a preset route for traversing thecharacter candidates in presentation of the candidates, and displays oneof the character candidates according to the preset route in response toeach operation on the key j. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the key202 corresponds to digit “2” and characters “a”, “b”, and “c”, adirected line 401 represents a route of traversing the charactercandidates of the key 202 in an original order, and a default sequenceof the character candidates of the key 202 is “abc”. The processor 10may display one of the character candidates “a”, “b”, and “c” accordingto the route represented by line 401 in response to each operation onthe key 202. The character candidate next to the “c” is “a”, and thedefault sequence is iterated in presentation of the charactercandidates.

If the performed operation conforms to the second input pattern, theprocessor 10 activates a reversed sequence of character candidates forthe key i arranged in a reversed order of the character candidates (stepS325). That is, the processor 10 utilizes the reversed sequence of thecharacter candidates for the key i as a preset route for traversing thecharacter candidates in presentation of the candidates, and displays oneof the character candidates according to the preset route in response toeach operation on the key j. With reference to FIG. 4, a directed line402 represents a route of traversing the character candidates of the key202 in a reversed order, and a reversed sequence of the charactercandidates of the key 202 is “cba”. The processor 10 displays one of thecharacter candidates “c”, “b”, and “a” according to the routerepresented by line 402 in response to each operation on the key 202.The character candidate next to the “a” is “c”, and the reversedsequence is iterated in presentation of the character candidates.

Similarly, the default and reversed sequences of the key 203 arerespectively “def” and “fed”; the default and reversed sequences of thekey 204 are respectively “ghi” and “ihg”; . . . and the default andreversed sequences of the key 209 are respectively “wxyz” and “zyxw”. Ifthe default sequence of the key 202 is “abc2” in which a digit “2”follows letter “c”, the reversed sequence of the key 202 be obtained as“2cba” by reversing the default sequence, or defined by users as “cba”according to user configuration identified by the processor 10.Character candidates of each key may be stored in an appropriate datastructure, such as a linked list or an array, for implementing thedefault and reversed character traversal and presentation. The addressesof the first and last characters may be stored in registers or the mainmemory 20 of the electronic device 100.

After activating the default sequence of character candidates, theprocessor 10 displays the first character candidate in the defaultsequence (step S306). For example, if the key i comprises the key 209,the processor 10 displays the first character “w” in the defaultsequence “wxyz” corresponding to the key 209. FIG. 5A shows a charactercandidate “w” indicated by a cursor 501 in a text area 500. Theprocessor 10 initiates the timer 60 to count an operation period of thekey i (step S309) and detects occurrence of any subsequent operation onthe same key i (event A), expiration of the timer 60 (event B), or anyoperation on another key (event C) (step S310). Said another keyreceiving an operation in the step S310 is referred to as a key j, wherej is a positive integer, 201≦j≦212, and where and j≠i.

In the step S310, upon receiving a subsequent operation on the same keyi (event A), the processor 10 resets the timer 60 (step S312) anddisplays a next character candidate in the default sequence insubstitution for the currently displayed character (step S314). Forexample, in a case that the key i comprises the key 209, the processor10 displays a next character candidate “x” in the default sequence“wxyz” as shown in FIG. 5B. The step S310 is repeated. Similarly, uponreceiving another subsequent operation on the same key 209, theprocessor 10 resets the timer 60 and displays a next character candidate“y” in the default sequence “wxyz”. The character candidate next to “z”in the default sequence is “w”.

In the step S310, if the timer 60 expires (event B), the processor 10enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to a textarea, and moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (stepS316). The step S301 is repeated. For example, if “x” is the currentlydisplayed character candidate when the timer 60 expires, as shown inFIG. 5C, the processor 10 enters “x” to the text area 500 and moves thecursor 501 to a next position in the text area 500.

In the step S310, upon receiving an operation on another key j (eventC), the processor 10 enters a currently displayed character candidate ofthe key i to the text area, moves the cursor to a next position in thetext area (step S318), and resets the timer 60 for the key j (stepS302). The processor 10 repeats steps S305-S310, S312, S314, S316, S318,S325-S328, S332, S334, S336, and S338 following the step S302, thus topresent character candidates in a default or reversed sequence for thekey j in response to operations on the key k.

Description is now returned to a reversed sequence. In the step S325, ifduration of the performed operation on the key i exceeds time intervalt, the performed operation conforms to the second input pattern, and theprocessor 10 activates a reversed sequence of character candidates forthe key i (step S325) and displays the first character candidate in thereversed sequence (step S326). For example, in a case that the key icomprises the key 209, the processor 10 displays the first charactercandidate “z” in the reversed sequence “zyxw”, as shown in FIG. 5D, inwhich “z” is indicated by the cursor 501. When the performed operationon the key i is terminated (step S327), the processor 10 initiates thetimer 60 to count an operation period of the key i (step S328). Theprocessor 10 detects occurrence of any subsequent operation on the samekey i (event A), expiration of the timer 60 (event B), or any operationon another key (event C) (step S330). Said another key receives anoperation in the step S330, is referred to as a key j.

In the step S330, upon receiving a subsequent operation on the same keyi (event A), the processor 10 resets the timer 60 (step S332) anddisplays a next character candidate in the reversed sequence insubstitution for the currently displayed character (step S334). Forexample, in a case that the key i comprises the key 209, the processor10 displays a next character candidate “y” in the reversed sequence“zyxw” as shown in FIG. 5E. The step S330 is repeated. Similarly, uponreceiving another subsequent operation on the same key 209, theprocessor 10 resets the timer 60 and displays a next character candidate“x” in the reversed sequence “zyxw”. The character candidate next to “w”in the reversed sequence is “z”.

In the step S330, if the timer 60 expires (event B), the processor 10enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to a textarea, and moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (stepS336). The step S301 is repeated. For example, if “y” is the currentlydisplayed character candidate when the timer 60 expires, as shown inFIG. 5F, the processor 10 enters “y” to the text area 500 and moves thecursor 501 to a next position in the text area 500.

In the step S330, upon receiving an operation on another key j (eventC), the processor 10 enters a currently displayed character candidate ofthe key i to the text area, moves the cursor to a next position in thetext area (step S338), and resets the timer 60 for the key j (stepS302). The processor 10 repeats steps S305-S310, S312, S314, S316, S318,S325-S328, S332, S334, S336, and S338 following the step S302 for thekey j.

Note that the arrangement of steps in the input method may be changed inalternative embodiments of the input method. For example, the step S309can be performed before the step S305 or S306. Before an operationperiod of a key expires, a long press on the key can change the routefor traversing character candidates during the operation period. Anotherexemplary embodiment of the input method is given with reference to FIG.3C.

2.2 Second Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method

With reference to FIG. 3C, the difference between FIG. 3C and FIG. 3Brelies on steps S310 a and S330 a. In the step S310 a, the processor 10detects occurrence of any subsequent short press on the same key i(event A), expiration of operation period of the key i (event B), or anyoperation on another key j (event C), or any long press on the key i(event D). Upon receiving a short press on the same key i (event A), theprocessor 10 executes the steps S312 and S314. Upon receiving a longpress on the same key i (event D), the processor 10 executes the stepsS332 and S334. Specifically, in the step S334, the processor 10 selectsthe reversed sequence as the preset route and displays a charactercandidate in the reversed sequence next to the currently displayedcharacter candidate, thus to present one character candidate in thereversed sequence of the key i in response to each operation of the keyi before the operation period of the key i expires. For example, in acase that the default sequence of the key 209 is initially activated asthe preset route, in response to a long press in the step S310 a whencharacter “y” is currently displayed, the processor 1 displays charactercandidate “x” of the key 209 in step S334, which is the charactercandidate next to “y” in the reversed sequence of the key 209, or thecharacter candidate previous to “y” in the default sequence of the key209.

In the step S330 a, the processor 10 detects occurrence of anysubsequent short press on the same key i (event A), expiration ofoperation period of the key i (event B), or any operation on another keyj (event C), or any long press on the key i (event D). Upon receiving ashort press on the same key i (event A), the processor 10 executes thesteps S332 and S334. Upon receiving a long press on the same key i(event D), the processor 10 executes the steps S312 and S314.Specifically, in the step S314, the processor 10 selects the defaultsequence as the preset route and displays a character candidate in thedefault sequence next to the currently displayed character candidate,thus to present one character candidate in the default sequence of thekey i in response to each operation of the key i before the operationperiod of the key i expires. For example, in a case that the reversedsequence of the key 209 is initially activated as the preset route, inresponse to a long press in the step S330 a when character “y” iscurrently displayed, the processor 1 displays character candidate “z” ofthe key 209 in step S314, which is the character candidate next to “y”in the default sequence of the key 209, or the character candidateprevious to “y” in the reversed sequence of the key 209.

The exemplary embodiment of the character input method shown in FIG. 3Ccan repeatedly change the preset route for traversing charactercandidates of the key i in response to long presses on the key i beforeexpiration of operation period of the key i. Thus, long press operationswithin an operation period of a key provide the function of returning toa character candidate previous to a currently displayed charactercandidate in character presentation. It may be understood that a longpress operation within an operation period of a key may return thecharacter presentation to a character candidate previous to a currentlydisplayed character candidate without changing settings of the presetroute. Additionally, alternative exemplary embodiments of input methodsmay utilize other schemes to realize presentation of charactercandidates in a reversed direction.

2.3 Third Exemplary Embodiment of Character Input Method

With reference to FIG. 3D, difference between FIG. 3D and FIG. 3B isdetailed in the following.

In the step S325, if the press operation on the key i continues afterthe reversed sequence is activated as the preset route, the processor 10displays the first character candidate in the reversed sequence (stepS326), and begins to count an operation period t0 (step S329). The timer50 or another timer may count the operation period t0. The processor 10detects expiration of the operation period t0 (event E) or terminationof the press operation (event F) (step S333). If the press operation onthe key i continues after the operation period t0 expires (event E), theprocessor 10 displays a next character candidate in the reversedsequence of the key i (step S334). Subsequently, the processor 10restarts the counting of operation period t0 (step S329) and repeats thestep S333. If the press operation terminates (event F), the processor 10executes the step S309. In the step S316 when the timer 60 expires, theprocessor 10 enters a currently displayed character candidate.

In the step S310 a, the processor 10 detects occurrence of anysubsequent short press on the same key i (event A), expiration ofoperation period of the key i (event B), any operation on another key j(event C), or any long press on the key i (event D). Upon receiving ashort press on the same key i (event A), the processor 10 executes thesteps S312 and S314. Upon receiving a long press on the same key i(event D), the processor 10 executes the step S334. Specifically, in thestep S334, the processor 10 displays a character candidate in thereversed sequence next to the currently displayed character candidate,and may repeat the steps S329, S333, and S334, thus to subsequentlypresent character candidates in the reversed sequence of the key i inresponse to the long press operation of the key j.

For example, the default and reversed sequences for the key 209 arerespectively “wxyz” and “zyxw”. In the traditional abc input method,entering “z” in an electronic device requires four press operations onthe key 209, and entering “y” to an electronic device requires threepress operations on the key 209. The first or second embodiment of thepresent character input method requires only one press operation on thekey 209 to enter “z” to the electronic device 100, and two pressoperations on the key 209 to enter “y”. Thus, the exemplary embodimentsof the character input method substantially reduce the number ofoperations and time required to input a character, and reduce thepossibility of missing desired a character during character candidatepresentation.

3. Variation of Embodiments

As appreciated, the time interval t is utilized to identify the firstand second input patterns. More time intervals may be utilized toidentify more input patterns. For example, a press operation on a keywith duration less than a time interval t1 is identified as conformingto a first input pattern; a press operation on a key with a durationgreater than the time interval t1 but less than a time interval t2 isidentified as conforming to a second input pattern; and a pressoperation on a key with duration greater than the time interval t2 isidentified as conforming to a third input pattern.

FIG. 6 shows a time line and signals generated from the key i duringoperation of the key. A high level in each signal waveform in FIG. 6reflects a pressed state of the key i while a low level reflects areleased state of the key i. Operation on the key i may generatedifferent signal waveforms, not limited to FIG. 6. The signal of a firstoperation shows that the key is pressed at time T0 and released at timeT1. If (T1−T0)<t1, the processor 10 determines that the first operationconforms to the first input pattern. If t1≦(T2−T0)<t2, the processor 10determines that the second operation conforms to the second inputpattern. If t2≦(T3−T0), the processor 10 determines that the thirdoperation conforms to the third input pattern. The processor 10 mayactivate the reversed sequence for the key i in response to an operationconforming to the second input pattern and display a digit correspondingto the key i in response to an operation conforming to the third inputpattern.

3.1 Alternative Embodiments of Character Input Method

The processor 10 may display character candidates in a menu on thedisplay 30 to assist character input. Keys in the input unit 40 areclassified as text keys and assistant keys. For example, the keys201-212 are classified as text keys, and keys 213-217 are classified asassistant keys. The key 217 is a direction key and configured fortriggering movement of a cursor to the upward, right, downward, and leftwhen activated by a press at positions 218 a, 219 a, 220 a, and 221 a,respectively. The key 217 may be replaced by a five direction controlmeans in another embodiment. Description of an alternative embodiment ofan input method is given with reference to a keyboard in FIG. 9.

With reference to FIG. 7, the processor 10 initiates a character inputmethod (step S700) and determines if a text key (referred to as the keyi) in the input unit 40 is activated by an operation (step S701). Upondetecting that an operation activates a text key i, the processor 10initiates the timer 50 to count an operation period of the key i (stepS702) and activate one of the default and reversed sequence of the key ias the preset route based on whether the operation conforms to the firstinput pattern or the second input pattern (step S705). After the one ofthe default and reversed sequence is activated, the processor 10displays a menu on the display 30 and the first character candidate inthe activated sequence (step S706) and initiates the timer 60 to countan operation period of the key i (step S709).

In an example that the key i is the key 209, a menu 800 corresponding toan activated default sequence of the key 209 is shown in 8A. Charactercandidates are arranged clockwise in the menu 800. Character candidatesof a key, however, are not limited to FIG. 8A, and can be arrangedcounterclockwise or in any other arrangement. When the first charactercandidate “w” of the key 209 is shown in the text area 500, a cursor 801indicates that “w” is a currently displayed character in the menu 800.The assistant keys 218, 219, 220, and 221 respectively correspond tocharacter candidates “w”, “x”, “y”, and “z”.

The processor 10 detects occurrence of any subsequent short press on thesame key i (event A), expiration of operation period of the key isignified by the timer 60 (event B), or any operation on another textkey j (event C), or any long press on the key i (event D), or anyoperation on an assistant key k (event G), where k is an positiveinteger. In the example of FIG. 9, the range of k is 213≦k≦221.

In the step S710, upon receiving a short press on the same key i (eventA), the processor 10 resets the timer 60 (step S712) and displays a nextcharacter candidate in the sequence (step S714). For example, in a casethat the key i comprises the key 209, following FIG. 8A, the processor10 displays a next character candidate “x” in the default sequence“wxyz” as shown in FIG. 8B. The cursor 801 in the menu 800 also movesclockwise to the position of “x” to indicate the currently displayedcharacter. The step S710 is repeated. Similarly, upon receiving a shortpress on the same key 209 (event A), the processor 10 resets the timer60, and displays a next character candidate “y” in the default sequence“wxyz”. The cursor 801 in the menu 800 also moves clockwise to theposition of “y” to indicate the currently displayed character.

In the step S710, if the timer 60 expires (event B), the processor 10enters a currently displayed character candidate of the key i to a textarea, and moves the cursor to a next position in the text area (stepS716). The step S701 is repeated. For example, if “y” is the currentlydisplayed character candidate when the timer 60 expires, as shown inFIG. 8C, the processor 10 enters “y” to the text area 500, moves thecursor 501 to a next position in the text area 500, and terminatespresentation of the menu 800.

In the step S710, upon receiving an operation on another text key j(event C), the processor 10 enters a currently displayed charactercandidate of the key i to the text area, moves the cursor to a nextposition in the text area (step S718), and resets the timer 50 for thekey j (step S702). The processor 10 repeats steps S705, S706, S709,S710, S712, S714, S716, S718, S720, and S722 following the step S702 forthe key j.

In the step S710, upon receiving a long press on the same key i (eventD), the processor 10 activate a sequence reverse to the activatedsequence before the step S720. For example, if the reversed sequence ofthe key i is utilized as the preset route in the step S710, theprocessor 10 activates the default sequence of the key i as the presetroute. On the other hand, if the default sequence of the key i isutilized as the preset route in the step S710, the processor 10activates the reversed sequence of the key i as the preset route.Subsequently, in the step S714, the processor 10 displays a nextcharacter candidate in the activated sequence. In the example of FIG. 8Awhen the default sequence of the key 209 is activated as the presetroute, upon receiving a long press on the same key 209 (event D), theprocessor 10 displays a character “z” previous to “w” in the defaultsequence “wxyz”, i.e. the character candidate next to “w” in thereversed sequence, and moves the cursor 801 clockwise to the position of“z” to indicate the currently displayed character. The step S710 isrepeated. Similarly, upon receiving a subsequent long press on the samekey 209 (event D), the processor 10 resets the timer 60, displays acharacter “y” next to “z” in the reversed sequence, and moves the cursor801 clockwise to the position of “y” to indicate the currently displayedcharacter. FIGS. 3C and 3D shows that a long press can change the presetroute of character candidates. Route for traversing charactercandidates, however, can be controlled by various input devices, such asa dialer, a wheel, a rotatable knob, or a touch panel. The processor 10may perform clockwise or counterclockwise movement of the cursor 801 andthe currently displayed character in response to clockwise orcounterclockwise tracks detected by the touch panel. The display 30 canbe equipped with a touch panel to form a touch screen. The keyboard inFIG. 9 can be a virtual keyboard displayed on the display 30.

In the step S710, upon receiving an operation on an assistant key k(event G), the processor 10 enter a character candidate corresponding tothe key k to a text area, moves a cursor to a next position in the textarea (step S722), and repeats steps S701, S702, S705, S706, S709, S710,S712, S714, S716, S718, S720, and S722 following the step S700.Following the example of FIG. 8A, in FIG. 8C, the processor 10 enterscharacter “y” to the text area 500 in response to an operation on thekey 220 disregarding the currently displayed. In the example of FIG. 8A,entering of character “y” to a text area requires two operations nomatter in the default sequence or reversed sequence before expiration ofthe timer 60. With the aid of assistant keys, only one operation isrequired to enter the character “y” to a text area. Similarly, theprocessor enters character “w”, “x”, or “z” to the text area 500 inresponse to an operation on the key 218, 219, or 221. Charactercandidates of the key 209 can be input to electronic device 100 throughthe five schemes corresponding to events A, B, C, D, and G duringexecution of one input method with no confliction exist between theseschemes.

The menu 800 can include more candidates for a key, such as uppercaseand lowercase letters, and auto-completed words. In addition to thedirection key 217, voice commands or other keys can be utilized torepresent character candidates in the menu 800. As shown in FIG. 8D,when the key 202 receives an operation, assistant keys 213, 214, 215,216, 218, 219, 220, and 221 respectively represent “A”, “tea”, “B”, “C”,“a”, “2”, “c”, and “b”. The “tea” is an auto-completed word, which isdetermined by the processor 10 from input characters in front of thecursor 501 in the text area 500 and character candidates in the menu800. For example, characters in front of the cursor 501 comprise “t” and“d”. Character candidates of the key 208 associated with the character“t” are “t”, “u”, and “v”. Character candidates of the key 203associated with the character “d” are “d”, “e”, and “f”. The processor10 selects the first letter in the auto-completed word from “t”, “u”, or“v”, the second letter in the auto-completed word from “d”, “e”, and“f”, and the last letter in the auto-completed word from the menu 800.The processor 10 may select an auto-completed word according to thosewords, which are most frequently input by users of the electronic device100, or based on a dictionary database in the electronic device 100. Theauto-completed word in the menu 800 may be generated according to T9®input method.

3.2 Alternative Embodiments of the Electronic Device

The exemplary embodiments of the character input method can be executedin various systems, such as electronic device systems shown in FIG.10-12.

In FIG. 10, a processor 11 of an electronic device 101 executes thecharacter candidates input method, and a communication unit 17 transmitstext to a communication unit 27 through communication channel 104. Aprocessor 21 displays the text received by the communication unit 27 ona display 32 and enters the text into a text area of an electronicdevice 102. The communication channel 14 in FIG. 10 may transfer textmessage and control signals between the electronic devices 101 and 102.

In FIG. 11, a communication unit 17 of an electronic device 201transmits input signals generated by an input unit 41 to communicationunit 27 through communication channel 204. A processor 21 in theelectronic device 202 displays character candidates on a display 32 andenters the character candidates to a text area under the direction ofthe character input method based on input signals received by thecommunication unit 27. The electronic device 202 may display the text onan external display.

In FIG. 12, a communication unit 17 of an electronic device 301transmits input signals generated by an input unit 41 to communicationunit 27 through communication channel 304. A processor 21 in theelectronic device 202 performs the character input method based on inputsignals received by the communication unit 27 and transmits generatedcharacters to a communication unit 28. The communication unit 28transmits the characters to a communication unit 37 through acommunication channel 305. An electronic device 303 characters the textreceived by the communication unit 37 on a display 33.

The communication channels 104, 204, 304, and 305 may be wire-lined orwireless channels. Each of the electronic devices 101, 201, and 301 maybe a remote control or portable device, such as a PDA, an ultra mobiledevice (UMD), a laptop computer, or a cell phone. Each of the electronicdevices 102, 202, and 303 may comprise a television or a media player,such as a disc player. The electronic device 302 may comprise a set-topbox. The main memory 2 and 22 in FIGS. 10-12 may store computer-readableprogram for implementing the character input method.

4. Conclusion

The described embodiments of the character input method can be utilizedto input characters of various languages, such as Hiragana and Katakanaof Japanese, or phonetic symbols of Chinese. Other means such ashighlighted color or size, rather than a cursor as described, can beutilized to indicate a currently display character candidate.

In conclusion, the character input method activates default or reversedsequence of character candidates in response to different operations onthe same key and utilizes a menu to assist character input. Thecharacter input method reduces the number of operations and timerequired for character input, and thus eliminates the possibility ofmis-operation. The character input method is adoptable with and notconflicting with the traditional abc input method. Execution of thecharacter input method does not restrict device user to learn new inputschemes but provides to device user options of character input with lesskeystrokes.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. An electronic device, comprising: a touch sensitive device operableto detect one or more touch operations based on one or more keys of avirtual keyboard displayable by a display function of the electronicdevice; a processor electronically connected to the touch sensitivedevice and operable to present character information on a display, andoperable to detect operation of the touch sensitive device according toa text input method, the text input method comprising: displaying thevirtual keyboard comprising a plurality of keys; utilizing the virtualkeyboard as a base for one or more touch operations detectable by atouch detection function, wherein each key of the plurality of keys isoperable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more charactersfor input to a text area, wherein each key in a first key set of one ormore keys in the plurality of keys of the virtual keyboard is operableto receive activation by receiving an touch operation comprising anoperation of a press, an operation of a touch movement track, or ancombination of a press and a touch movement track; receiving activationof the first key set of one or more keys of the virtual keyboard,wherein the activation of the first key set comprises activation of eachkey in the first key set; selecting, for a first activated key in thefirst key set that receives an activation, a first initially selectedcharacter associated with the first activated key in response to theactivation of the first activated key; selecting, for a second activatedkey in the first key set that receives an activation, a second initiallyselected character associated with the second activated key in responseto the activation of the second activated key; determining a firstcharacter set of one or more characters associated with the first keyset based on at least the first initially selected character and thesecond initially selected character; determining an auto-completed wordbased on a database of words in response to the activation of the firstkey set, wherein the auto-completed word comprises a plurality ofcharacters, and each of the plurality of characters of theauto-completed word is selected from the first character set of one ormore characters associated with the first key set; presenting theauto-completed word as an option in a menu graphical user interfacecomponent in response to the activation of the first key set; andentering the auto-completed word to the text area in response to antouch operation associated with the option in the menu graphical userinterface component and detectable by the touch detection function. 2.The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determining ofthe auto-completed word further comprising: determining a length of theauto-completed word that represents a number of characters of theauto-completed word; and selecting each of the plurality of charactersof the auto-completed word from the first character set of one or morecharacters associated with the first key set according to the length ofthe auto-completed word.
 3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1,wherein a length of the auto-completed word is determined by successiveactivation of the one or more keys in the first key set even if thesuccessive activation of the one or more keys in the first key setcomprises a touch movement track detectable by the electronic device. 4.The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein concatenation ofeach of the plurality of characters of the auto-completed word comprisesa meaningful word determined based on a dictionary or a database ofwords that comprises most-frequently input words.
 5. The electronicdevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein appearance of each of the firstactivated key and the second activated key shows at least twocharacters.
 6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thevirtual keyboard comprises a numerical keypad with a number of digitkeys less than a number of alphabetical letters, wherein each digit keyof the numerical keypad comprises one digit, and the alphabeticalletters are distributed to the digit keys of the numerical keypad. 7.The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first characterset comprises different character subsets of one or more charactersassociated with the first key set, the determining of the auto-completedword further comprising: selecting a first character of theauto-completed word from a first character subset of the differentcharacter subsets of the first character set; selecting a secondcharacter of the auto-completed word from a second character subset ofthe different character subsets of the first character set; andselecting a third character of the auto-completed word from a thirdcharacter subset of the different character subsets of the firstcharacter set.
 8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, whereinconcatenation of the first character, the second character, and thethird character of the auto-completed word comprises a meaningful worddetermined based on a dictionary or a database of words that comprisesmost-frequently input words.
 9. The electronic device as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the determining of the auto-completed word furthercomprising: utilizing a first seed character associated with the firstkey set to retrieve the first character subset associated with the firstseed character; utilizing a second seed character associated with thefirst key set to retrieve the second character subset associated withthe second seed character; and utilizing a third seed characterassociated with the first key set to retrieve the third character subsetassociated with the third seed character; wherein the first seedcharacter, the second seed character, and third seed character isselected in response to the activation of the first key set.
 10. Theelectronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the first seedcharacter, the second seed character, and third seed character isselected in response to a first touch movement track based on the firstkey set of one or more keys of the virtual keyboard.
 11. The electronicdevice as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first touch movement trackcomprises a first migration from a press on a source key in the firstkey set associated with the first seed character, to a press on asubsequent key in the first key set associated with the second seedcharacter.
 12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein thefirst touch movement track comprises a second migration from the presson the subsequent key to a press on a destination key in the first keyset associated with the third seed character.
 13. The electronic deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first initially selected characterand the second initially selected character is selected based onsuccessive activation of the one or more keys in the first key set evenif the successive activation of the one or more keys in the first keyset comprises a touch movement track based on the virtual keyboarddetectable by the touch detection function, wherein the first touchmovement track comprises a migration from a press on the first activatedkey to a press on the second activated key.
 14. The electronic device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first initially selected character andthe second initially selected character is selected based on successiveactivation of the one or more keys in the first key set even if thesuccessive activation of the one or more keys in the first key setcomprises a touch movement track based on the virtual keyboarddetectable by the touch detection function, wherein the first touchmovement track comprises a transition initiating from a press on thefirst activated key and ending at a press on the second activated key.15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pluralityof keys of the virtual keyboard comprise a first key, wherein each keyof the plurality of keys is operable as a toggle key, two different keysin the plurality of keys are respectively associated with differentsequences of character candidates, a sequence of character candidatescomprises optional characters arranged in a specific arrangement forcharacter input to the text area, and the text input method furthercomprises: detecting operation of virtual keyboard according to a firstcharacter input method comprising: detecting if a first operation ofpress on a first key of the plurality of keys conforms to a first inputpattern or a second input pattern; if the first operation conforms tothe first input pattern, associating the first key with a defaultcharacter candidate set of one or more character candidates and utilizesthe default character candidate set as a currently selected characterset for character presentation associated with the first key, andpresenting a first character in the default character candidate set as acurrently selected character for character input to the text area inresponse to the first operation conforming to the first input pattern;if the first operation conforms to the second input pattern, associatingthe first key with a extended character candidate set of one or morecharacter candidates different from the default character candidate setand utilizes the extended character candidate set as the currentlyselected character set associated with the first key, and presenting asecond character in the extended character candidate set as thecurrently selected character for character input to the text area inresponse to the first operation conforming to the second input pattern,wherein the second character is different from the first character, andthe currently selected character set is associated with the first keysuch that presentation of an alternative character candidate in thecurrently selected character set as the currently selected character insubstitution for the first character or the second character duringcharacter presentation associated with the first key is activated inresponse to a subsequent character selecting operation based on thefirst key upon a condition that the currently selected character setcomprises a plurality of character candidates associated with the firstkey; displaying a second graphical user interface component showing atleast the currently selected character set on the display in response tothe first operation, wherein the f second graphical user interfacecomponent comprises at least the default character candidate set or theextended character candidate set, and the second graphical userinterface component comprises a menu upon a condition that the currentlyselected character set comprises a plurality of character candidatesassociated with the first key; and selecting a first subsequentcharacter in the second graphical user interface component as thecurrently selected character in substitution for the first character orthe second character according to a first route of characterpresentation to traverse a plurality of character candidates in thesecond graphical user interface component in response to a first touchtrack based on the first key upon a condition that second graphical userinterface component comprises a plurality of character candidatesassociated with the first key; wherein the currently selected characteris selected to be input to the text area of the electronic device uponthe end of character presentation associated with the first key, and theselecting of the first subsequent character as the currently selectedcharacter in response to the first touch track is performed even if thefirst touch track comprise a touch track outside of an area representingthe second graphical user interface component.
 16. The electronic deviceas claimed in claim 15, wherein a direction of a movement of thecurrently selected character on the first graphical user interfacecomponent from the first character or the second character to the firstsubsequent character is associated with a direction of the first touchtrack.
 17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein, thetext input method further comprises: selecting another second subsequentcharacter in the second graphical user interface component other thanthe first subsequent character as the currently selected characteraccording to a second route of character presentation to traverse theplurality of character candidates in the first graphical user interfacecomponent in response to a second touch track based on the first key.18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the firsttouch track and the second touch track respectively comprise touchmovements in different directions.
 19. The electronic device as claimedin claim 18, wherein the first touch track and the second touch trackrespectively comprise clockwise and counterclockwise touch movementsbased on the first key, the first graphical user interface componentcomprises a prior character and a post character posterior to the priorcharacter in the second arrangement, and the character input methodfurther comprises: selecting, during presentation of the prior characteras the currently selected character, the post character as the currentlyselected character in substitution for the prior character in responseto the first touch track, wherein the selecting of the post character asthe currently selected character by the first touch track is performedeven if the first touch track detectable by the touch sensitive deviceis separated from an area representing the post character in the firstgraphical user interface component; and selecting, during presentationof the post character as the currently selected character, the priorcharacter as the currently selected character in substitution for thepost character in response to the second touch track, wherein theselecting of the prior character as the currently selected character bythe second touch track is performed even if the second touch trackdetectable by the touch sensitive device is separated from an arearepresenting the prior character in the first graphical user interfacecomponent.
 20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein thefirst input pattern represents a default input scheme of a short presson the first key operable to select one character candidate associatedwith the first key as the currently selected character, wherein durationof the short press is less than a predetermined time interval, and thesecond input pattern represents an alternative input scheme of a longpress on the first key operable to select one character candidateassociated with the first key as the currently selected character,wherein duration of the long press is greater than the predeterminedtime interval.
 21. The electronic device as claimed in claim 15, whereinthe one or more character candidates associated with the first keycomprise at least three characters of letters or at least threecharacters of two letters and one digit.
 22. The electronic device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each key of the plurality of keys isoperable as a toggle key, two different keys in the plurality of keysare respectively associated with different sequences of charactercandidates, a sequence of character candidates comprises optionalcharacters arranged in a specific arrangement for character input to thetext area, and the text input method further comprises: detectingoperation of virtual keyboard according to a second character inputmethod comprising: detecting if a first operation of press on a firstkey of the plurality of keys conforms to a first input pattern or asecond input pattern; if the first operation conforms to the first inputpattern, associating the first key with a default character candidateset of one or more character candidates and utilizes the defaultcharacter candidate set as a currently selected character set forcharacter presentation associated with the first key, and presenting afirst character in the default character candidate set as a currentlyselected character for character input to the text area in response tothe first operation conforming to the first input pattern; if the firstoperation conforms to the second input pattern, associating the firstkey with a extended character candidate set of one or more charactercandidates different from the default character candidate set andutilizes the extended character candidate set as the currently selectedcharacter set associated with the first key, and presenting a secondcharacter in the extended character candidate set as the currentlyselected character for character input to the text area in response tothe first operation conforming to the second input pattern, wherein thesecond character is different from the first character, and thecurrently selected character set is associated with the first key suchthat presentation of an alternative character candidate in the currentlyselected character set as the currently selected character insubstitution for the first character or the second character duringcharacter presentation associated with the first key is activated inresponse to a subsequent character selecting operation based on thefirst key upon a condition that the currently selected character setcomprises a plurality of character candidates associated with the firstkey; displaying a second graphical user interface component showing atleast the currently selected character set on the display in response tothe first operation, the second graphical user interface componentcomprises at least the default character candidate set or the extendedcharacter candidate set; and inputting a first touched character in thesecond graphical user interface component to the text area in responseto a first assistant touch operation based on an assistant graphicaluser interface element associated with the first touched character upona condition that the second graphical user interface component comprisesa plurality of character candidates associated with the first key,wherein the first assistant touch operation is detectable by the touchdetection function.
 23. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1,wherein each key of the plurality of keys of the virtual keyboard isoperable to be toggled between a pressed state and a released state andis not transitioned to a specialized state beyond toggling between thepressed state and the released state in response to the activation ofthe first key set.
 24. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the text input method further comprising: detecting operation ofvirtual keyboard according to a third character input method comprising:receiving a first operation on a first key among a plurality of keys ofthe virtual keyboard, wherein each key of the plurality of keys isoperable as a toggle key, two different keys in the plurality of keysare respectively associated with different sequences of charactercandidates, a sequence of character candidates comprises optionalcharacters arranged in a specific arrangement for character input to thetext area; wherein one character candidate associated with the first keyis selectable as a currently selected character in response to one ormore operations based on the first key during the operation period ofthe first key, the operation period is extendable by one or moreoperations based on the first key, and the currently selected characteris input to the text area of the electronic device upon expiration ofthe operation period, the first key is associated with a first sequenceof character candidates; presenting a first character in the firstsequence of character candidates as the currently selected characteraccording to a first arrangement of characters in the first sequence ofcharacter candidates in response to a first instance of a short press onthe first key in a condition that the first operation comprises thefirst instance of short press; and displaying a second graphical userinterface component operable to present at least a portion of the firstsequence of character candidates associated with the first key duringthe operation period, wherein the second graphical user interfacecomponent comprises a focus operable to indicate the currently selectedcharacter; receiving and classifying a third touch movement based on thefirst key in a two-dimensional touch operation domain into an operationof a forward direction or an operation of a backward direction of thesecond graphical user interface component according to a direction ofthe third touch movement during the operation period; wherein the secondgraphical user interface component allows a forward movement of thefocus in the first sequence of character candidates in response to theoperation of the forward direction and a backward movement of the focusin the first sequence of character candidates in response to theoperation of the backward direction; wherein the first sequence ofcharacter candidates comprises a first optional character, a secondoptional character, and a third optional character arranged in order, ina condition that the focus indicates the second optional character asthe currently selected character, in the forward movement the focusmoves from the second optional character to the third optional characterto indicate the third optional character as the currently selectedcharacter in substitution for the second optional character, and in thebackward movement the focus moves from the second optional character tothe first optional character to indicate the first optional character asthe currently selected character in substitution for the second optionalcharacter; and entering the currently selected character to the textarea of the electronic device upon expiration of the operation period.25. The electronic device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the secondgraphical user interface component allows the forward movement and thebackward movement of the focus even if the third touch movement isseparated from the second graphical user interface component.
 26. Theelectronic device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the second graphicaluser interface component is displayed in response to an instance of longpress on the first key during the operation period.
 27. An electronicdevice, comprising: a touch sensitive device operable to detect one ormore touch operations based on one or more keys of a virtual keyboarddisplayable by a display function of the electronic device; a processorelectronically connected to the touch sensitive device and operable topresent character information on a display, and operable to detectoperation of the touch sensitive device according to a text inputmethod, the text input method comprising: displaying the virtualkeyboard comprising a plurality of keys; utilizing the virtual keyboardas a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touchdetection function, wherein each key of the plurality of keys isoperable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more charactersfor input to a text area; selecting a first initially selected characterassociated with a first activated key in response to a first touchoperation based on the first activated key in the plurality of keys ofthe virtual keyboard, wherein the first touch operation is detectable bythe touch detection function and comprises an operation of a press, anoperation of a touch movement track, or an combination of a press and atouch movement track; selecting a second initially selected characterassociated with a second activated key in response to a second touchoperation based on the second activated key in the plurality of keys ofthe virtual keyboard after the first touch operation, wherein the secondtouch operation is detectable by the touch detection function andcomprises an operation of a press, an operation of a touch movementtrack, or an combination of a press and a touch movement track;utilizing the first initially selected character or a first relatedcharacter associated with the first initially selected character as afirst determined character; utilizing the second initially selectedcharacter or a second related character associated with the secondinitially selected character as a last determined character; generatingan auto-completed word based on a database of words in response to thesecond touch operation, wherein the auto-completed word comprises thefirst determined character as a left most character of theauto-completed word and the last determined character as a right mostcharacter of the auto-completed word; presenting the auto-completed wordas an option in a first graphical user interface component in responseto activation of the second activated key; and entering theauto-completed word to the text area in response to an assistant touchoperation associated with the option in the first graphical userinterface component, wherein the assistant touch operation is detectableby the touch detection function.
 28. The electronic device as claimed inclaim 27, wherein the determining of the auto-completed word furthercomprising: determining a length of the auto-completed word thatrepresents a number of characters of the auto-completed word; andselecting each of the plurality of characters of the auto-completed wordfrom a first character set of one or more characters associated with thefirst initially selected character and the second initially selectedcharacter according to the length of the auto-completed word.
 29. Theelectronic device as claimed in claim 27, wherein a length of theauto-completed word is determined by successive activation of one ormore keys in a first key set even if the successive activation of thekeys in the first key set comprises a touch movement track based on thevirtual keyboard detectable by the touch detection function, wherein thefirst key set comprises one or more keys in the plurality of keys of thevirtual keyboard.
 30. The electronic device as claimed in claim 27,wherein concatenation of each of the plurality of characters of theauto-completed word comprises a meaningful word determined based on adictionary or a database of words that comprises most-frequently inputwords.
 31. The electronic device as claimed in claim 27, whereinappearance of each of the first activated key and the second activatedkey shows at least two characters.
 32. The electronic device as claimedin claim 27, wherein the first initially selected character and thesecond initially selected character is selected based on successiveactivation of the one or more keys in a first key set even if thesuccessive activation of the one or more keys in the first key setcomprises a touch movement track based on the virtual keyboarddetectable by the touch detection function, wherein the first touchmovement track comprises a migration from a press on the first activatedkey to a press on the second activated key, and the first key setcomprises one or more keys in the plurality of keys of the virtualkeyboard.
 33. The electronic device as claimed in claim 27, wherein thefirst initially selected character and the second initially selectedcharacter is selected based on successive activation of the one or morekeys in a first key set even if the successive activation of the one ormore keys in the first key set comprises a touch movement track based onthe virtual keyboard detectable by the touch detection function, whereinthe first touch movement track comprises a transition initiating from apress on the first activated key and ending at a press on the secondactivated key, and the first key set comprises one or more keys in theplurality of keys of the virtual keyboard.
 34. An electronic device,comprising: a touch sensitive device operable to detect one or moretouch operations based on one or more keys of a virtual keyboarddisplayable by a display function of the electronic device; a processorelectronically connected to the touch sensitive device and operable topresent character information on a display, and operable to detectoperation of the touch sensitive device according to a text inputmethod, the text input method comprising: displaying the virtualkeyboard comprising a plurality of keys; utilizing the virtual keyboardas a base for one or more touch operations detectable by a touchdetection function, wherein each key of the plurality of keys isoperable as a toggle key and is associated with one or more charactersfor input to a text area; discriminating a first touch movement trackbased from a first activated key of the plurality of keys of the virtualkeyboard as an intra-keystroke moving operation or an inter-keystrokemoving operation even if the first touch track is performed over thevirtual keyboard; selecting of an option in a first graphical userinterface component in response to the first touch movement track upon acondition that the first touch movement track comprises anintra-keystroke moving operation even if the first graphical userinterface component is separated from the first touch movement track;selecting a first basic character set of one or more characters upon acondition that the first touch movement track comprises theinter-keystroke moving operation which comprises a transition fromactivation of the first activated key of the virtual keyboard toactivation of a second activated key of the virtual keyboard, and thefirst basic character set comprises one or more characters associatedwith the first activated key and the second activated key; retrieving afirst expanded character set of one or more characters based on thefirst basic character set, wherein the first expanded character setcomprises characters related to the first activated key and the secondactivated key, and the number of characters in the first expandedcharacter set is more than the first basic character set; generating anauto-completed word based on a database of words in response to thetouch operation representative transition, wherein the auto-completedword comprises a plurality of characters, and each of the plurality ofcharacters of the auto-completed word is selected from the firstexpanded character set; presenting the auto-completed word as an optionin a second graphical user interface component in response to the touchoperation representative transition; and entering the auto-completedword to the text area in response to an assistant touch operationassociated with the option in the first graphical user interfacecomponent, wherein the assistant touch operation is detectable by thetouch detection function.
 35. The electronic device as claimed in claim34, wherein the determining of the auto-completed word furthercomprising: determining a length of the auto-completed word thatrepresents a number of characters of the auto-completed word; andselecting each of the plurality of characters of the auto-completed wordfrom the first expanded character set according to the length of theauto-completed word.
 36. The electronic device as claimed in claim 34,wherein concatenation of each of the plurality of characters of theauto-completed word comprises a meaningful word determined based on adictionary or a database of words that comprises most-frequently inputwords.
 37. The electronic device as claimed in claim 34, wherein thefirst graphical user interface component comprises a menu that presentscharacters associated with the first activated key, and the option inthe first graphical user interface component comprises a firstsubsequent character associated with the first activated key.
 38. Theelectronic device as claimed in claim 34, wherein each key of theplurality of keys is operable as a toggle key, two different keys in theplurality of keys are respectively associated with different groups ofcharacter candidates, a group of character candidates comprises optionalcharacters arranged in a specific arrangement for character input to thetext area; detecting if a first operation of press on a first key of theplurality of keys conforms to a first input pattern or a second inputpattern; if the first operation conforms to the first input pattern,associating the first key with a default character set of one or morecharacter candidates and utilizes the default character set as acurrently selected character set for character presentation associatedwith the first key, and presenting a first character in the defaultcharacter set as a currently selected character for character input tothe text area in response to the first operation conforming to the firstinput pattern; if the first operation conforms to the second inputpattern, associating the first key with a extended character set of oneor more character candidates different from the default character setand utilizes the extended character set as the currently selectedcharacter set associated with the first key, wherein the currentlyselected character set is associated with the first key such thatpresentation of an alternative character candidate in the currentlyselected character set as the currently selected character insubstitution for the first character or the second character duringcharacter presentation associated with the first key is activated inresponse to a subsequent character selecting operation based on thefirst key upon a condition that the currently selected character setcomprises a plurality of character candidates associated with the firstkey; displaying a first graphical user interface component showing atleast the currently selected character set on the display in response tothe first operation, the first graphical user interface componentcomprise at least the default character set or the extended characterset, and the first graphical user interface component comprises a menuupon a condition that the currently selected character set comprises aplurality of character candidates associated with the first key;detecting a first touch track based on the first key detectable by thetouch detection function in a domain an area of which is greater than anarea of the first graphical user interface component; selecting a firstsubsequent character in the first graphical user interface component asthe currently selected character in substitution for the first characterin a first route in response to the first touch track upon a conditionthat first graphical user interface component comprises a plurality ofcharacter candidates associated with the first key, wherein the firstroute comprises a path of movement in which a focus of first graphicaluser interface component indicating the currently selected charactermoves to the first subsequent character, and the selecting of the firstsubsequent character as the currently selected character in response tothe first touch track is performed even if a position representing thefirst subsequent character in the first graphical user interfacecomponent is separated from the first touch track; and inputting thecurrently selected character to the text area upon the end of characterpresentation associated with the first key.